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Large Early Carving of St Roc with Hound
Ref: 1605
This is a large and well carved wooden representation of St Roc with an attractive surface patination and age.
In the legend St Roc was the son of a wealthy nobleman who contracted the plague and who out of consideration to others he exiled himself from society and was tended to by a faithful hound. God showed mercy upon him as reward for his piety and he was cured. Normally St Roc is portrayed (as here) as a pilgrim wearing the pilgrim’s hat. He is often seen parting his cloak and pointing to a plague sore on his thigh which, sometimes, the dog licks. Here the dog leaps up to his thigh. St Roc appears to be standing on the heads of animals, dogs perhaps, general symbols of the carnal or representations of the apostles in their symbolic form.
Carvings of St Roc are sometimes found in leper hospitals or hospitals for those suffering ailments of the skin and is sometimes found alongside St Sebastien as an inspiration to rise above the suffering of the body.
This sculpture is distinguished by its size and secular character, its representation of the hound, its bold naturalistic carving, making it an attractive decorative work of good age.
Austria/Central Europe 17th or 18th cent.
H: 117cm (46.1in)
W: 32cm (12.6in)
D: 16cm (6.3in)
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